Time of possession wasn't very good for the Broncos tonight (35:05 for the Steelers to 24:55 for the Broncos). Part of that was Denver's inability to get the Steelers off the field on third down. We do have upgrades on the D-line and the secondary but this game shows we still need upgrades elsewhere.

In honor of Derek Wolfe, I believe we need to have a simple chant whenever he gets a sack: HOOOOOWWWWWLLLL!

Speaking of which, we would have more sacks if holding was called. And that wasn't even the worst from the replacement refs -- these guys couldn't get NFL Refereeing 101 calls correct. I counted at least six referee screwups tonight that I KNOW the regular referees would never blow. You may not always get the holding call, but the regular refs know darn well the rules about delay of game and challenges after the ball has been snapped.

I was concerned about the O-line but I thought those guys did a respectable job tonight. Hopefully they keep getting better and are really clicking once Chris Kuper is able to return.

Oh, and I love having Tracy Porter on this team.

Posted by Bob on 2012-09-10 01:05:28

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Posted by BottomfedBuddha on 2012-09-10 00:48:50

Awesome win! Few thoughts...

1. PMFM. Thank you John Elway.

2. I would have thought our DL would have gotten more pressure on Ben consistently throughout the game. Granted, Ben is an escape artist, but after the Wolfe sack, it didn't seem like we got to him until the final series. And that was against scrub OL players. Thought we would be more dominant there.

3. Running game looked pretty good, didn't it?

4. Run defense looked pretty good too.

5. Beadles getting the block 15 yards downfield on the DT TD. Without that the TD doesn't happen. I know he takes a lot of flack, but the dude can play.

6. Joe Mays. Dude can be pretty good, but he looked really bad on two plays in particular. Missed a TFL early, and then on the Miller TD.

7. Even though the Steelers are my 32nd favorite team, for some reason I do really like Mike Tomlin. I can't explain why. Just seems like a solid dude.

8. Atlanta is going to be tough. Roddy White and Julio Jones are beasts. Matty Ice is tough at home.

GO BRONCOS!

Posted by QDoc on 2012-09-10 00:23:57

Thank you John Elway! That was a huge win. I feel like the steelers played us really well, and the broncos still found a way to win by 10plus. I don't think there's a lot of teams that will be able to sustain drives like that. Definitely a very satisfying week 1!

Posted by Andrew on 2012-09-10 00:02:58

This was a great game. It feels like the Mile High Magic is here again for the first time in a very long, long time (says the man wearing a battered and threadbare SB XXXIII Champions tshirt).

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 23:59:55

They were sucking wind. They never had an answer for the no huddle tonight.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:56:11

This brings up something interesting. Does LeBeau still have it? Two games in a row the Broncos have made him look a little off. Granted, Manning was absolutely brilliant with the Polamalu teasing, but that fourth quarter just didn't look like the Steelers out there.

Posted by Myron Giddings Jr on 2012-09-09 23:54:12

I loved Wolfe's "wolfman" sack celebration as well!

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:52:31

Doesn't get any better than Peyton smiling while he gutted the Steelers defense. Got to love it. Thanks John Elway, thanks Peyton and how about a little billy white shoes celebration for 58

Posted by akatom3565 on 2012-09-09 23:52:29

That's what it will be like when we're playing with leads this year. :)

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:52:20

Definitely felt like Dwyer and Redman had more than 43 and 21 yards

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:50:46

I love how the Broncos got three sacks in 4 plays, 2 by Miller, right after Collinsworth said kudos to the Pittsburgh OL, they've kept Miller and Dumervil away and.... BANG. BAM. BOOM. Tee-hee. Thanks Cris!

And yeah, Porter was awesome tonight. He did show he's not a great tackler once or twice, but we'll take that if it comes with such superb coverage tonight. Man oh man.

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 23:49:03

I didn't see WW whiff on any tackles either, a la DJ

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:48:30

Woodyard 12 tackles and a sack.

DJ Wholliams?

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:46:53

Michelle Tafoya as a 48 year old sideline reporter...you missed your true calling somewhere along the road. Sorry.

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:46:03

Gotta love a "billy white shoes" followed by a "tee-bow."

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:44:01

It is now real to me. THAT was really Peyton Manning.

Posted by jayrockstone on 2012-09-09 23:42:28

Gotta love Von Miller.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 23:37:38

Extend him now.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:35:44

Being an idiot feels good right now.

Posted by drewthorn on 2012-09-09 23:32:42

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:31:48

Porter is money well spent! Woohoo!

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 23:31:41

Seriously. Dude has been great tonight. Don't give him a chance to leave.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 23:31:31

Pay that dude!!!!!

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:30:39

Welcome to Denver, Tracy Porter!!!

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 23:30:31

The three man rush will kill us.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:29:47

True, he's not been bad, but his not bad is still playing to the lowest common denominator. Michaels is really busy making excuses for Pitts.

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 23:26:27

Well, here comes the first big test for this years version of the Denver Defense.

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:25:57

I must admit that I thought Collinsworth has been pretty good tonight...

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:23:37

This is exquisite.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 23:22:55

"I don't know about Manning's neck, but his brain is fine."

Only truly intelligent thing Colinworth has said tonight.

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 23:22:26

LOVE the cat v. mouse between manning and the stealers defense

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:21:29

Not a great tackler, but his coverage skills make it so that he doesn't need to be.

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:21:01

It's so surreal that Peyton Manning is our guy. No matter what happens tonight, this team is in good hands.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 23:21:00

We must extend his contract.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:19:31

Did PM just make a throw to his right? Yup!

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:18:52

Nce drive so far with the running game. Get the defense a rest and hopefully a TD

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:17:30

I take it back...we forced one punt in the 2nd half so far. If we didn't have PMFM we'd be getting dressed down.

Posted by Clifton Jackman on 2012-09-09 23:15:26

That was a great play by porter. Nice to have a capable second corner

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:12:37

Not digging the three man rush at all.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:12:36

What I don't get: You pay for Manning's brilliance, and stand pat or don't support himso many other places.

Posted by drewthorn on 2012-09-09 23:11:43

Defense getting burned on the "second effort stuff"

Posted by Ralph_W on 2012-09-09 23:11:40

Seriously, this being-able-to-score business is awesome.

The receivers were open by way less than 20 yards all along that drive. He hit them anyway. I guess Jeebus hates Tim Tebowz.

I really like the part where the Broncos' quarterback can throw the ball to his receivers. That is so cool.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 23:04:43

These refs are a fucking joke.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 23:03:56

Warren get hurt? Haven't even seen him rotate in. Even on the goaline he was out.

Posted by FenwaySaratoga on 2012-09-09 23:02:15

But, hey, at least we got our 2016 (probably not) QB and traded up for an opening day scratch RB.

Thank You, John Elway!

Posted by drewthorn on 2012-09-09 22:50:01

I honestly wonder if there has ever been an NFL quarter with such a large TOP difference. It hardly seems possible.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 22:49:58

True, but the Ginger Hammer doesn't give a damn.

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 22:48:20

Not even getting a sniff of Ben, can't cover the tight end. Doesn't matter if it's Mays orWoodyard. Didn't like the call on Moore, but it wouldn't have mattered if he didn't let that INT go through his hands.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 22:47:41

In the 2013 draft, the Broncos are going for OL and LBs to go with Von.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 22:42:20

Rothliesberger is good at sliding around in the pocket. Didn't help him on that jailbreak, though.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 22:39:35

Looked like Sanders initiated that contact as much as Moore did. Don't like that call.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 22:37:36

That was a bit disconcerting for the steelers

Posted by Tom on 2012-09-09 22:32:52

Nice! Of course, now it is good that the replacement refs didn't recognize that jersey tug By Beadles could have been called holding...

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 22:32:40

Boom! Hope the defense wasn't planning on resting.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 22:31:22

Love the call there. Just gotta hope the defense is ready to go out on the field!

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 22:30:33

No pass rush, either. And when they get there, they can't bring him down.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 22:27:32

I was thinking that exact thought during that. Might have to make a GIF

Posted by Kevin McLaughlin on 2012-09-09 22:26:21

I think it's good to be only down six at this point. The secondary is looking a bit suspect at this point.

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 22:25:35

The last hour has been a wee bit disconcerting.

Posted by drewthorn on 2012-09-09 22:24:49

Broncos defense getting burned, every third down. Can't get off the field. Painful.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 22:21:36

I keep wishing he'll improve, but it's just not going to happen.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 22:19:15

So friggin' true.

Posted by Yahmule on 2012-09-09 22:15:21

A few more plays like that, and you never know.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 22:05:56

Mays whiffed on a potential tackle for a loss earlier, then gets burned on pass coverage. At least he can run downhill and hit. =/

Too bad it's not 1974.

Posted by QDoc on 2012-09-09 22:01:05

I love the fact that I'm watching a GOOD football game. The defense is playing well, the offense is playing well. We need to get some more pressure, but for the most part, we are gang tackling with a lot of orange around the ball.

Posted by Clifton Jackman on 2012-09-09 21:56:24

Trevathan, maybe soon?

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 21:52:52

Ouch. Mays was burnt like toast on that TD.

One great, long, no-huddle drive answered by another.

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 21:52:27

At least the scabs know what an illegal formation is. Apparently they don't know what holding is...

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 21:52:12

I just... I'm just not sure I can take another year of Joe Mays. Do they seriously not have anyone better in the middle?

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 21:52:08

One year's worth of illegal formation penalties in one half. Quaint.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 21:45:26

They've been so horrible. I mean they missed Ben's delay of game penalty, allowed him a time out instead, plus at least 3 other clearly blown calls. They need to go back to the retirement village and let the real guys back on the field. At least they are only likely to blow 1-2 calls instead of 5-6. :)

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 21:44:45

Joe Mays, missing tackles. Some things never change.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 21:36:18

Also, when was the last time a Prater kickoff was returnable in Denver?

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 21:34:59

Such an awesome drive. Steelers gassed on that one. Patented PM.

So happy for Knowshon to get the TD, he catches so much heat from some Broncos fans (cough). ;)

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 21:34:51

So, who had KnowMo with the first TD?

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 21:34:15

Was he brushing away a halo?

Posted by Ty Thompson on 2012-09-09 21:32:40

note to america: low-wage workers, work poorly. maybe we should all earn more, instead of less.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 21:23:16

How do the refs miss two penalties on the same play? If Goddell thinks these high school reject refs are going to be able to do this, he's sadly mistaken.

Posted by DCJ1 on 2012-09-09 21:06:21

I hate scabs.

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 21:04:55

dude, he had nowhere to run on that play? do you have eyes?

Posted by Chibronx on 2012-09-09 20:57:35

Nice play by Wolfe, it looked like Unrein was doing a bang up job occupying two of the Steelers' linemen to free up Wolfe's inside move, unless my eyes deceived me.

Posted by Van Carter on 2012-09-09 20:57:28

On the other hand, I love Wolfe.

Posted by listopencil on 2012-09-09 20:57:21

And he makes another nice play on that, his first sack, which came at a damned good time. Wolfe!

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 20:54:08

Wolfe sure made a nice play in his debut! BAM, the running back never saw him coming.

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 20:46:43

Um...Moreno sucks. Dancing around in the backfield until he gets tackled. Then giving up a sack on third down. Get him off the field.

Posted by listopencil on 2012-09-09 20:39:29

Big O rocking the crazy eye in his intro. He looks like Deebo from Friday.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 20:34:14

Sounds like you belong on a Bears site, fella. If you don't get that Cry Baby Jay will always have negative body language, then I don't know what to tell ya. Go Broncos!

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 20:30:27

What a little crybaby you are. Still butt-hurt over Cutler??? Looks like he & Marshall finished pretty well today.

Posted by ElwayIsGod7 on 2012-09-09 19:50:46

well his new deal suggests to me they think he can!

Posted by Steve Williams on 2012-09-09 17:35:38

cockneybronco It means that the game is being televised locally - happens a lot. Stinks for fans like you, too.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2012-09-09 17:00:09

How can the Packers game be a black out on NFL Game Pass?

Posted by cockneybronco on 2012-09-09 16:54:27

Nice to see Brandon Marshall dropping a couple of TD passes. Somehow, there's still some schadenfreude to that....

Posted by Doc Bear on 2012-09-09 15:14:29

Matt Ryan is shredding the Chiefs. Hee hee hee.

Posted by Xtreme212000 on 2012-09-09 13:57:46

As Nelson Muntz would say, HAH.HAH.Cutler.

Posted by underdog on 2012-09-09 13:36:08

Not to mention the whole throwing the pick six thing.

Posted by Clifton Jackman on 2012-09-09 13:26:46

Cutler, waving his arms, blaming Bears fans for having to call a timeout. He just does everything I his power to make you dislike him.

Posted by Royalwithcheese on 2012-09-09 13:25:03

It is just me or are the Texans way overrated...Schaub will never lead them to the SB